The Cambodian Dancer. Daryn Reicherter

      

      To Ethan and Amelia and to all of Sophany’s dancers—may this generation of children grow up together with hope for a brilliant future. —D.R.

      For my dancer daughter, Kate, and her dancer friends Isabel, Apoorva, and Bella—C.H.

      Khmer Translation

      On pages 30-31 of this book is a translation of this story into the language of Cambodia, called Khmer (pronounced Ke-MY and, in some parts of the world, Ke-MARE), written in the traditional Indian script that originated thousands of years ago.

The creation of art for this book and the teaching of local Khmer dance are generously supported by Gardner Family Care Corporation.

      Sophany was a dancer in Cambodia. She learned the ancient ways of dancing handed down from generation to generation.

      She learned how to move her hands and arms.

      She learned how to look like the stone reliefs on the walls of the temples.

      The dance gave her energy.

      When Sophany grew up, she taught the dance to little girls.

      She taught them how to move their hands.

      She taught them where to put their feet.

      She even taught them how to tilt their heads.

      The dance gave the little girls energy too.

      Sophany was one of the best dancers. She danced for huge crowds of people. She even danced before the King of Cambodia!